Friday, April 24, 2009

Balancing act

I noticed, as I was packing Natalie's milk for today, that there isn't all that cream on the top, like we remember there being with the girls. That, and already, only day three at daycare, I'm struggling to make as much as she consumes. So, not only is the quality not there, but the quantity isn't either.

Part of that is my fault. I'm a lazy milk cow. Natalie is perfectly satisfied eating on only one side, for about 15 minutes, but I know I'm supposed to feed her on both. So, I guess if I do what we're supposed to do, we could double production, in theory. I'm just so jealous of those women who can pump 8 ounces at a time. Only in my dreams could I get that much. Moooo.

Related but different topic, I've always been conscientious about what I eat. I can pass by ice cream and chocolate and fatty foods (with the exception of fried stuff) without much struggle. I'd prefer a great caesar salad to a sundae any day of the week.

So, how do I eat enough good stuff to get the fat/cream Natalie needs, as well as the quantity of milk, without making my arse grow exponentially? I've started toting the giant glass 'o water with me to work, to force the fluids, thereby hopefully increasing the quantity. But, is that enough? Do I need to start on the fenugreek/something-thistle combo already? Suggestions please!!!

Oh, and a quick Lainie update. I talked to our pediatrician about her EEG results and, the message I took from it, is that it's not terrible. Her EEG "isn't like what you'd expect from a patient that has seizures all day, every day." So, that can alleviate my fear that she's been having absence seizures without me knowing, and I can assume her spacing out is just spacing out. Exhale. The resent Newsweek article on epilepsy scared the bejebuss out of me, so it's nice to have something to alleviate some fear.

1 comment:

My kiddos only nursed on one side per session too. I say ignore what you are "supposed" to do and keep doing what works for you and your beautiful, growing girl. ;)

Our local "herb lady" suggested fennel glycerite to a friend and it really increased her supply and she was able to stop supping with formula. Excerpt from Kellymom: "Fennel (Foeniculum) is a common galactagogue. It tends to promote the milk ejection reflex (let-down), rather than actually increasing milk supply. Fennel may be a good choice for working mothers who are experiencing decreasing pump output. Fennel contains EFAs flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, and volatile oils. It has been used for gastrointestinal disorders and as an expectorant, and can be a diuretic."

Once your body gets used to your pumping routine at work will you start to get more? I am not much help with pumping, I was never any good at it either, but that is what I've heard... Good luck!